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The 3 main nasty chemicals found in nail polish? Formaldehyde, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), and Toluene.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is typically used as a preservative, a sterilizer, and to embalm bodies. It’s also used in particle board and plywood because of its adhesive properties.

Though it is less commonly included in nail polish these days, formaldehyde is often added to nail hardeners, and many nail companies include nail hardeners in all of their colored polishes as an added bonus. Not a great bonus in my opinion, considering that formaldehyde has been connected to lung and nasal cancer, and is considered a known carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

So, while you probably aren’t going to develop cancer just because you painted your nails with a formaldehyde-containing polish (unless you drink or inhale the polish, which I’m going to have to advise against), I would still personally avoid any products containing this chemical – it’s just not worth the risk.

Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)

This chemical is used to make plastics that are extra-flexible; think shower curtains, rain boots, hairspray, and plastic wrap. Its goal in nail polish? To ward off cracks, chips, and all those other issues that make us cringe when they happen to our freshly-painted nails.

While DBP is not believed to be a carcinogen, it has been linked to reproductive issues if the mother is exposed to it while pregnant. While companies are still allowed to put it into products in the US (though it has been phased out by most major nail polish manufacturers), it has been banned for use in cosmetics by the European Union. That, to me, sends a clear message that this chemical is one to watch out for, and even though the US hasn’t banned it, it’s still a scary substance.

Toluene

Often included in polish to make it apply more smoothly, toluene is another scary chemical that can be found in many polishes. Nail polish isn’t its only application, though, it is also included in gasoline as an octane booster, and is also used as a raw material to create TNT.

Toluene has been known to affect the nervous system and to cause dizziness, headaches, eye irritation, nausea, birth defects, developmental abnormalities, and liver and kidney damage. I don’t know about you, but those potential side effects do not sound worth it to me. Again, this chemical has also been banned by the European Union, but not by the US.

Avoiding “The Big Three” with Suncoat Girl Nail Polish

SuncoatGirl water-based nail polishes are uniquely formulated by their chemists without using any of the following chemicals: Phthalate plasticizers, Toluene, Formaldehyde, Acetates, Alcohol, Glycol ethers, FD&C dyes.

Only water, acrylic copolymers and polyurethane (plastic), mineral-based pigments, plastic glitter* and carmine are in these nail polishes. Virtually odor-free. Releases water vapor when applied, not toxic chemical fumes. These water-based children’s nail polishes are truly the most natural nail polishes in the market place.